Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang
When you have an oily complexion, sometimes it feels like your makeup application efforts are in vain—especially when you're working with foundation and concealer. The latter is all but essential when applying a full face of glam and any time you want to hide under-eye circles, correct discoloration, cover blemishes, blur imperfections, or highlight your best features.
If your skin tends to be greasy but not necessarily glowy, you want something that not only does what it's supposed to but also stays put for longer than a few minutes. So, what products are up for the task? "'Oil-free, non-comedogenic, long-wear, waterproof, and lightweight' are all descriptors to look for when shopping for a concealer for oily skin," says Portland-based makeup artist Analisa Marie of The Wildflower Collective. You'll want to choose a concealer in the format you prefer working with, with a matte finish and a shade that works with your skin tone. While liquids are the standard, there are other options that work well, too. The finish should be one that prevents further oiliness, and the correct shade is imperative for a natural look.
Scroll on for the best concealers for oily skin.
Best Overall
Smashbox Studio Skin Flawless Oil-Free 24 Hour Concealer
Sephora
Provides smooth, even coverage
Can be used to highlight and contour
Wide shade range
Lasts all day
On the thick side
Who else recommends it? Reader's Digest also picked the Smashbox Concealer.
What do buyers say? 1,200+ Ulta reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
When it comes to concealer for oily complexions, Smashbox Studio Skin checks all the boxes. The creamy liquid formula doesn't contain any oil, and it won't crease, cake, or settle into fine lines. Not only that, but this multi-use product is everything you need to conceal, blur, correct, and highlight.
It comes in a handy little tube with a user-friendly petal applicator stick. This all-star concealer is buildable, too, offering light wear, full coverage, and anything in between. Best of all, it stays in place for a full 24 hours, so you can work, play, or dance the day away without worrying about it sliding off your face.
Price at time of publish: $29
Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Runner-Up, Best Overall
Esteé Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Flawless Wear Concealer
Courtesy of Sephora
Holds up in heat and humidity
Lasts all day
Won't transfer or smudge
Can be difficult to blend
We're also big fans of Estée Lauder's Stay-in-Place concealer. Part of the brand's beloved Double Wear line, you can count on a flawless finish, all-day wear, and a comfortable, never dry or cakey feel. This oil-free show-stopper offers medium coverage that doesn't transfer, plus it won't melt off if you get a little sweaty or step outside in humid weather.
Price at time of publish: $32
Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Semi-matte | Shades: 21 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Drugstore
L'Oreal Infallible Pro Glow Concealer
Inexpensive
Provides smooth, even coverage
Easy to blend
Shade range could be improved
If you're looking for something in the drugstore price range, Marie recommends Infallible Pro Glow. This luminous concealer is ideal for concealing, correcting, and highlighting, and it delivers up to 16 hours of selfie-ready coverage.
Price at time of publish: $9
Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Luminous | Shades: 8 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Budget
e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer
Courtesy of Ulta
A little goes a long way
Provides smooth, even coverage
Lasts all day
Shade matching can be tricky
People on a budget should reach for e.l.f. Camo Concealer. It only costs a few bucks, but you wouldn't know it based on the refreshingly lightweight yet brilliantly pigmented formula. This little powerhouse has a matte finish and provides as much as 16 hours of coverage.
Price at time of publish: $7
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 25 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge
Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer SPF 25
Courtesy of Nordstrom
Has SPF 27
Goes on smoothly
Doesn't look cakey
Expensive
If you're open to shelling out a little extra for a product with serious staying power, you won't be disappointed with Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer. This cult-loved makeup stick glides on effortlessly and provides instant airbrushed coverage over blemishes, under-eye circles, and discoloration without feeling dry or looking cakey.
Price at time of publish: $75
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 13 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Under-Eye
Lancôme Effarcernes Waterproof Under-Eye Concealer
Courtesy of Nordstrom
Covers imperfections
Not overly drying
Waterproof
Not Byrdie Clean
This tube of under-eye concealer means business for correcting dark circles. The smooth formula delivers natural-looking coverage and color correction while blurring fine lines around the eyes and leaving a soft matte finish in its wake.
Price at time of publish: $31
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Soft matte | Shades: 10 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Full Coverage
Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer
Courtesy of Sephora
Lasts all day
Covers imperfections
A little goes a long way
Shade range could be expanded
You can count on Extreme Camouflage Cream for full coverage that won't fail. This oil-free concealer corrects for redness, covers blemishes, conceals dark circles, and stays in place wherever you apply it.
Price at time of publish: $44
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 10 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Light Coverage
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
Amazon
Buildable texture
Natural-looking finish
Long-wearing
Not for full coverage
If you want something a bit lighter for everyday wear, you can't go wrong with Maybelline's Fit Me Concealer. The breathable formula has a translucent base and delivers lightweight pigments for a natural-looking finish.
Price at time of publish: $8
Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 14 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
What Our Testers Say
"The Fit Me concealer is an amazing concealer for everyday wear. The product is blendable, has a medium coverage, and gives my under eyes a naturally bright appearance." — Khera Alexander, Product Tester
Best Complexion-Boosting
Beauty Bakerie Instabake 3 in 1 Concealer
Hydrates
Provides smooth, even coverage
Easy to blend
Small amount of product
Sometimes, oily skin is oily because it's overproducing oil in an attempt to correct for dehydration. If that's the case, we recommend InstaBake, a superstar concealer that hides imperfections and evens out discoloration while working to smooth, soothe, and hydrate your skin.
Price at time of publish: $20
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Dewy | Shades: 18 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Glo Skin Beauty Oil-Free Camouflage Concealer
Won't aggravate acne-prone skin
Covers imperfections
Not overly drying
Byrdie Clean
Can be difficult to blend
This oil-free concealer by Glo Skin was made with acne-prone complexions in mind. You'll get highly pigmented coverage, plus vitamin A to control breakouts and vitamin E to help soothe your skin.
Price at time of publish: $32
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 6 | Size: 0.1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Longwear
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer
Nordstrom
Buildable without caking
Provides smooth, even coverage
Lasts all day
A little drying
Marie says liquid formulas like MAC Pro Longwear are best for oily skin. This lightweight product offers an ultra-smooth matte finish with buildable coverage. "You can usually work in light layers to create a more natural look that doesn't feel so heavy," she explains.
Price at time of publish: $28
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 14 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Matte
NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer
Sephora
Natural-looking finish
Lightweight texture
Easy to blend
Difficult to build without caking
If you want a truly matte finish, pick up a pot of NARS Complete Concealer. Though it's less creamy than other formulas, it effortlessly blurs imperfections, corrects discoloration, and offers complete coverage that never quits.
Price at time of publish: $43
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Stick
BareMinerals BarePRO 16-Hr Full Coverage Concealer
Courtesy of Sephora
Holds up in heat and humidity
Has skincare benefits
Lasts all day
Not Byrdie Clean
This full-coverage, undeniably creamy concealer comes in a convenient stick, making it ideal for on-the-go application. It replenishes greasy skin with natural moisturizers from raspberry seeds and blackcurrant so that it doesn't overproduce oil. What's more, it's waterproof, humidity-resistant, and lasts as long as 16 hours.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 9 | Size: 0.09 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Multi-Use
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick
Lightweight
Mattifies skin
Can also be used to highlight and contour
Can cling to dry patches
Can you say Match Stix Matte Skinstick three times fast? All jokes aside, we're in love with the light, airy texture of this long-wear makeup stick by Fenty Beauty and appreciate that it can be used for concealing, correcting, and highlighting. Plus, the soft matte finish is clutch for oily T-zones.
Price at time of publish: $28
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 5 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Powder
Clinique Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation + Concealer
Lightweight
Buildable without caking
Provides smooth, even coverage
Works better with the brush than a sponge
Clinique's Beyond Perfecting Powder acts as both a foundation and a concealer, delivering weightless natural-looking coverage and a skin-perfecting finish. It's breathable, comfortable, and holds up all day, even through humidity and sweat.
Price at time of publish: $36
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 2 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Shade Range
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
Sephora
Available in a mini size
Gives skin a luminous finish
Lasts all day
Has a scent
Another rec from Marie, Vanish Airbrush Concealer is a weightless, waterproof product offering buildable coverage and up to 16 hours of oil-free perfection. We also appreciate that it comes in 22 shades, ranging from deep brown to medium golden to fair.
Price at time of publish: $16 for 0.04 oz
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 22 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
If we had to pick just one, we'd have to go with Smashbox Studio Skin Flawless Oil-Free 24 Hour Concealer. The all-star formula does everything from blurring and correcting to concealing and highlighting without caking, creasing, or settling. However, if you want something a little easier on your bank account, L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Concealer is a wonderful product for oily skin. The luminous formula enhances your complexion while delivering a full 16 hours of coverage.
What to Look For in Concealer For Oily Skin
Formula
"Liquid concealers are usually best for oily skin and are great for buildable coverage, even if they are a full-coverage product," Marie says. You might also want to look for a formula that's oil-free and potentially waterproof, which will help it stay in place and provide you with the longest-lasting coverage.
That said, there are some really great cream formulas out there that come in little pots or sticks. They're often a little more moisturizing, which can actually help oily skin produce less oil, and typically offer slightly lighter coverage.
Shade
Concealers should generally be a shade or two lighter than your foundation. This allows you to use it for undereye circles, color correction and highlighting. Plus, it'll still blend into your skin when used to conceal blemishes or scars.
Finish
If you want something that corrects your skin's shiny or greasy appearance, look for a matte concealer. (This will usually be indicated in the product description, if not the name.) The best options deliver a flat, shine-free finish that looks smooth and soft and doesn't feel overly dry or cakey.
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie?
This guide was written by Theresa Holland, a freelance commerce writer and regular Byrdie contributor with substantial experience covering cosmetics for various skin types. While she's learned to embrace her oily complexion, she always has appropriate makeup products at the ready. When she's feeling extra-greasy, her go-tos for concealing and highlighting include Smashbox Studio Skin, NARS Soft Matte Complete, and Fenty Beauty Match Stix.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough concealers for oily skin from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
